Applications of geospatial analyses in health research among homeless people: A systematic scoping review of available evidence

BackgroundUnequal housing access resulted in more than 150 million homeless people worldwide, with millions more expected to be added every year due to the ongoing climate-related crises. Homeless population has a counterproductive effect on the social, psychological integration efforts by the community and exposure to other severe health-related issues. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have long been applied in urban planning and policy, housing and homelessness, and health-related research.MethodsWe used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to systematically review 24 articles collected from multiple databases (n = 10) that focused on health-related issues among homeless people and used geospatial analysis techniques in their research.ResultsOur findings indicated a geographic clustering of case study locations– 26 out of the 31 case study sites are from the USA and Canada. Studies used spatial analysis techniques to identify hotspots, clusters and patterns of patient location and population distribution. Studies also reported relationships among the location of homeless shelters and substance use, discarded needles, different infectious and non-infectious disease clusters.ConclusionMost studies were restricted in analyzing and visualizing the patterns and disease clusters; however, geospatial analyses techniques are useful and offer diverse techniques for a more sophisticated understanding of the spatial characteristics of the health issues among homeless people. Better integration of GIS in health research among the homeless would help formulate sensible policies to counter health inequities among this vulnerable population group.     

Improving Prenatal Diagnosis of Coarctation of the Aorta

Background

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between fetal echocardiographic measurements and the need for intervention (primary coarctation repair, staged coarctation repair, or catheter intervention) in prenatally diagnosed coarctation of the aorta.

HBV患者血清YKL-40、CA19-9、GP73水平与其病情相关性

目的 分析HBV患者YKL-40、CA19-9、GP73水平差异及与患者病情轻重程度的相关性,探讨HBV患者病情的判定指标。方法 选取2015年5月—2018年5月收治的100例HBV患者,其中慢性HBV感染组40例、慢性乙型肝炎组36例、HBV相关肝硬化组24例,同期选择我院健康体检的健康者50例作为健康对照组;检测患者血中YKL-40、CA19-9、GP73水平;分析HBV感染患者血清YKL-40、CA19-9、GP73水平与病情轻重程度的相关性。结果 慢性HBV感染、慢性乙型肝炎及HBV相关肝硬化患者血中YKL-40水平分别为（36.38±4.19）ng/mL 、（49.02±4.32）ng/mL、（65.14±5.21）ng/mL ,CA19-9分别为（12.03±1.03）KU/L、（13.84±0.98）KU/L、（16.94±0.81）KU/L,GP73分别为（47.22±5.38）ng/mL 、（98.53±10.24）ng/mL 、（229.85±12.19）ng/mL,均明显高于对照组的（28.19±3.27）ng/mL 、（7.34±0.92）KU/L 、（30.93±3.89）ng/mL,均P=0.000 0。随着慢性HBV感染者、慢性乙型肝炎患者和不同HBV相关肝硬化患者肝脏炎症及纤维化程度加重,患者血中YKL-40、CA19-9和GP73也随之显著增加,均P=0.000 0;YKL-40、CA19-9和GP73均是影响HBV感染患者体内炎症坏死及肝脏纤维化的独立性影响因素,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 HBV感染患者血清中YKL-40、CA19-9、GP73水平是HBV感染患者病情轻重程度的独立性影响因素。     

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐2‐imidazolidinone,a heparanase and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor,improves epidermal basement membrane structure and epidermal barrier function

Daily exposure to sunlight is known to affect the structure and function of the epidermal basement membrane (BM), as well as epidermal differentiation and epidermal barrier function. The aim of this study is to clarify whether the inhibition of BM‐degrading enzymes such as heparanase and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) can improve the epidermal barrier function of facial skin, which is exposed to the sun on a daily basis. 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐imidazolidinone (HEI) was synthesized as an inhibitor of both heparanase and MMP‐9. HEI inhibited not only the BM damage at the DEJ but also epidermal proliferation, differentiation, water contents and transepidermal water loss abnormalities resulting from ultraviolet B (UVB). This was determined in this study by the use of UVB‐induced human cultured skins as compared with the control without HEI. Moreover, topical application of HEI improved epidermal barrier function by increasing water content and decreasing transepidermal water loss in daily sun‐exposed facial skin as compared with non‐treated skins. These results suggest that the inhibition of both heparanase and MMP‐9 is an effective way to care for regularly sun‐exposed facial skin by protecting the BM from damage.     

Botulinum toxin blocks mast cells and prevents rosacea like inflammation

Background

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition whose etiology has been linked to mast cells and the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37. Individuals with refractory disease have demonstrated clinical benefit with periodic injections of onabotulinum toxin, but the mechanism of action is unknown.

Long-term skeletal stability in the treatment of mandibular prognathism with a physiological positioning strategy

Our aim was to evaluate the long-term skeletal stability of the mandible in 21 patients after orthognathic surgery with physiological positioning. The measurement points SNB, B point (X, Y), Pog (X, Y), and the angle of the ramus were measured on cephalometric photographs to assess skeletal stability preoperatively, immediately after operation, and one and two years postoperatively. In addition, we evaluated the clinical symptoms of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The analysis of the cephalometric photographs showed that SNB, B point X, and Pog X showed no significant differences among the postoperative time points. On the other hand, B point Y and Pog Y showed no significant differences throughout the study period. We compared the angle of the ramus before operation and two years postoperatively, and no significant difference was found. In addition, no cases showed any pathological symptoms of disorders of the TMJ two years postoperatively. The long-term stability after orthognathic surgery with physiological positioning was confirmed, and it seems to be a reliable orthognathic treatment in patients with mandibular prognathism.     

Infective Endocarditis Due to Treponema pallidum: A Case Diagnosed Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Aortic Valve

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Syphilitic aortitis might coexist in a dysfunctional aortic valve, but the etiology remains unclear, because microbiological diagnosis is difficult. A 62-year-old man with low-grade fever was diagnosed with aortitis and infective endocarditis, due to Treponema pallidum infection, using polymerase chain reaction analysis. This case suggests that syphilis might cause infective endocarditis.